Conservative parliamentary candidate Adrian Owens said: “Scarisbrick is not an appropriate site for a prison.”

After the meeting, one man, who lives on Hurlston Hall Caravan Park, said: “We don’t know a thing, we’re just going to be waiting to hear if we’re going to lose our homes. There are about 50 on the site.”

Elaine Dalytse, owner of Jun Wahs restaurant on Southport Road, said: “I think if a prison was built it would have an effect on all the local businesses.”